THE PERFECT SELF TANNER

Summer will be here soon - not soon enough though. Anyways, I found the perfect self tanner - thought I’d share. It’s Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 for Body. This stuff is awesome for those of us that are self tanner challenged. (Did that even make sense? You understand me though, right?) I am horrible about self tanners - I never rub them in completely and always miss a spot and then the next day I’m splotchy and orange - not a good look. And they usually have an awful odor. This self tanner does not turn you orange and leaves you with a nice even tan. I don’t know how it evens itself out - but it does. It also doesn’t smell bad. It has a slight self tanner fragrance - but not bad. Thank goodness I found this lotion, now I can wear shorts without people making jokes.

Hey - who knows maybe I will win Brown Day at the river this year.

JANE EYRE - ANOTHER BOOK I LOVE

Have you seen the movie Definitely, Maybe? I recently saw this movie & it was great - a nice romantic comedy with Ryan Reynolds (yum) and Isla Fisher (luv her). Isla Fisher’s character talks about the book, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. So, it peeked my interest and when I saw it at Borders - the cutest little book with a fabric cover and an attached ribbon book mark I had to buy it. Let me just say, this is not the typical book I read. The last time I read a classic was in school when I had to. I usually stick to books written after 1990. The book starts out kind of slow and sometimes I don’t quite understand the phrases used, but now I am about halfway through and I adore it. Last night I was reading in bed and couldn’t put it down - I just had to find out what would happen next with Jane and Mr. Rochester. Oh - I just love it. It gave me the same feeling as when I watched the movie Pride and Prejudice and kept thinking - “You love her - just tell her already.” The build-up you know I hate it & I love it. Well, if you haven’t read this book - you should - I think you will love it too!

MOTHER’S DAY

Hello all. Long time no blog, right? I just had to write a little bit about my Mother’s Day. It was great this year. My whole family got together for a picnic at the park. It was nice, the food was yummy and the kids had fun playing at the playground. It was a little colder than I would’ve liked, but after stealing my sister’s jacket I felt much better.

Z made the cutest cards for me. Love them. She also gave me the cutest frame from Bath & Body. You can record a message on the frame - how clever. Now when Zena’s not feeling up to being a mush ball I can just press a button and hear about how much she loves me. It also came with travel sized lotion and bath wash, which smell wonderful.

After the park, me and Z headed over to Bonnie’s (Rebecca’s mom) house for some cake and wine. Cake for Z and wine for me, that is. We had a wonderful time. Zena played with Rebecca’s son Riley while me and Rebecca caught up on some gossip. Then we all sat down to watch my favorite movie, Mama Mia. We weren’t sitting for long though. We couldn’t help it - we were all singing along with the movie and couldn’t resist jumping out of our seats to dance. It was so much fun.

I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful day!

VAMPIRE DIARIES

Can you say, “Obsessed?” I am loving the Vampire Diaries on the CW. This show is great - perfect for me, I love anything vampires in a PG-13 way. I am too squeamish for True Blood (although I love the Sookie Stackhouse novels), so Vampire Diaries is right up my alley. And I just love the 3 main characters, Elena, Stefan & Damon. Whoa - that Stefan is nice to look at. Anyways, if you are anything like me and haven’t seen this show you need too. The show is completely addictive though, I must warn you.

Oh - I am also reading the books. Right now I am on Book #5. The first 4 books are really good, the 5th book not so much. :( If you like the show - you should check them out.

P.S. NYLON interviwed the 3 main characters and I had to rush out and buy the magazine, but you can check out a little bit of the online interview here: http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=4132

Hello - Nina Dobrev's hair looks amazing. Love it.

A DAY FOR LOVE

For Valentine’s weekend me and Z headed over to my sister’s. We had lot’s of fun. We made red velvet cupcakes. And the kids worked on Valentine cards. FYI: The cupcakes were delicious - yummmmm. If you’re looking for a good recipe check this out: http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Desserts/Red-Velvet-Cupcakes.aspx

The kids also had lots of fun running around and me and my sisters had a nice time catching up on some shows (Vampire Diaries - of course) and drinking some wine (obviously). BevMo is having their 5 Cent wine sale - so we were well stocked.

On the actual holiday, me and Z headed to the hair salon. Zena’s hair is extremely long and she decided that it was time for a haircut. Thank goodness - my arm muscles have been aching from brushing out her long locks. So, she decided that she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love. They need at least 10 inches and she donated 12. Can you believe it? 12 inches & her hair is still long. Anyways, I am so proud of her - what a sweetie & I think her new do looks great. Ain’t she the cutest?

SNOW BUNNIES

I love snow. It is my favorite & my best. Whoa - too many Charlie & Lola books. Me & Z and my sisters, Jen & Sherry, along with their husbands and kids headed to Big Bear recently. Short trip, but we did stay overnight at this cute cabin. It was awesome. The little sledding hills for the kids were within walking distance from our cabin. Doesn’t get any better than that, right? Oh - I did have a bad mommy moment... On our way up we had to stop and get snow chains on my car (thanks Ray!) - Z asks for her snow jacket so she can get out and check things out and, uh, er well.. oops. I totally forgot her jacket. We went to the snow & I forgot her jacket. Terrible. It worked out okay though - there was always one extra jacket floating around for her to wear. Next time we go to snow I will not forget - I’m sure no one will let me forget, if you know what I mean.